Bellevue’s transportation levy picks up pace on delivering projects in 2024
(The Center Square) – An update on a Bellevue levy has revealed that the city is making progress on transportation projects after dealing with several complications last year.
Bellevue’s Neighborhood Safety, Connectivity and Congestion Levy was approved by voters in 2016 and does not end until 2036.
Funds generated by the levy support existing projects regarding traffic safety, sidewalk construction and maintenance, traffic management, and bicycle facilities programs.
The Neighborhood Safety, Connectivity and Congestion Levy assesses a property tax rate of 15 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. For a median home in Bellevue, which is $1.6 million, a homeowner pays approximately $238 a year toward the levy, or $20 a month.
The levy generates approximately $7.4 million per year.
The Neighborhood Safety and Connectivity program received $7.1 million this year through levy funds.
The levy also supports a new Bellevue program that intends to ease vehicle congestion in Bellevue neighborhoods. That program was given $2 million this year.
Through 2023, over $33 million has been distributed via approximately 70 levy-funded projects across Bellevue neighborhoods. Projects funded by the levy usually include blended funding from grants and other city sources.
There were relatively few levy-funded projects constructed last year due to staffing changes and project complexities. In turn, there are more larger-scale levy-funded projects that are planned for construction in 2024, according to a memo for the Bellevue City Council meeting on Tuesday.
There’s considerable advancement planned for projects in 2024 that will help to reduce carry-forward budgets and continue to address transportation needs throughout Bellevue neighborhoods.
Planned projects for 2025 and 2026 include a project in Bridle Trails to improve crossings for people walking, a maintenance project along the Coal Creek parkway, and multiple new and upgraded crosswalks in Cougar Mountain.
The Bellevue City Council will be briefed on the Neighborhood Safety, Connectivity and Congestion Levy update on Tuesday.
